November 4th happens to be Check Your Blood Pressure Day, but why is it important to check your blood pressure for hypertension?
In my new book, Optimize Your Heart, I walk readers through many practical ways to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and high blood pressure is one important risk to focus on. Here’s an extract:
“Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, increases your heart’s workload. This causes the heart’s muscle to thicken, become stiffer, and function abnormally. It can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure, but with the right diet, exercise, monitoring, and medication, you can keep your blood pressure in line with the recommended 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) maximum.”
So, what can you do to reduce high blood pressure?
- Consume less added sodium in your diet
- Drink more water
- Exercise more
- Reduce stress
- Speak to your doctor about medication
These are just some of the ways that you can lower your blood pressure to avoid a heart attack or stroke. For more detailed advice and guidance, be sure to pick up a copy of Optimize Your Heart!